Rep. Pearce returns pay for shutdown

Rep. Steve Pearce returned more than $6,000 he was paid during the government shutdown.

ALBUQUERQUE (AP) - New Mexico Republican Rep. Steve Pearce says he has returned the money he was paid while the federal government was shut down.

Pearce says he submitted a check for $6,283.99, to the U.S. Treasury Department on Wednesday.

He says it is wrong for members of Congress to receive a paycheck while other government employees faced uncertainty. He says he announced when the shutdown began that he would return any pay received while the government wasn't fully functioning. And he is requesting the Treasury apply the full amount to the national debt.

Pearce calculated the amount as his salary for the 16 days the shutdown lasted not including taxes and withholding, which are paid to the government regardless.

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